Media releases

Dementia Australia supports mandatory vaccinations across the aged care sector and urges people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, and their loved ones, to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.

Dementia Australia today acknowledged Brisbane City Council; Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art; University of Queensland’s Healthy Living Centre, and Art Museum; along with Iona College for their combined commitment to creating a dementia-friendly Brisbane as a strategic element of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  These organisations were officially recognised by Dementia Australia’s Dementia-Friendly Communities program at an event hosted by the Brisbane South-East Dementia Alliance Dementia-Friendly Communities Forum and supported by QLD Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Co-convenor Joan Pease MP, Member for Lytton. 

This Dementia Action Week – from 20-26 September – Dementia Australia is encouraging people to show their support and celebrate a carer by sending a personalised, digital card to let them know they are appreciated. The Dementia Action Week Report Discrimination and dementia - enough is enough, released this week, shows that people living with dementia and carers experience discrimination that can lead to social isolation, loneliness and poor mental health. And COVID-19 has intensified these experiences.

A new report has found that an estimated 41 million cases of dementia across the globe are undiagnosed.  This, combined with new treatment breakthroughs could result in an oncoming ‘tsunami of demand’ for diagnosis, which could overwhelm unprepared healthcare systems in Australia, say Dementia Australia and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the global federation for over 100 Alzheimer’s and dementia associations across the world.  

Recent research conducted by Dementia Australia has identified that discrimination against people living with dementia is real and so entrenched that even those at risk expect to experience some form of discrimination.

The theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week – to be held from Monday 20 September - Sunday 26 September, is ‘A little support makes a big difference’.

On Aged Care Employee Day, Dementia Australia acknowledges the hundreds of thousands of people working in the industry across Australia.  Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the day is an opportunity to acknowledge, honour and celebrate aged care employees. 

Experts and talented emerging researchers have an opportunity to access almost $4.8 million in funding for Project Grants, Fellowships and Innovation Grants though the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.

In light of recent restrictions and lockdowns across the country, Dementia Australia is calling on the community, including health and aged care staff, to work together to maintain engagement with people impacted by dementia during this time of enforced isolation.

With the support of Gandel Philanthropy, Dementia Australia has today launched an innovative mobile app that improves quality of care for people living with dementia by building the skills of home support and community care workers.   

Today on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Dementia Australia is calling for all Australians to make themselves aware of the different forms elder abuse can take and to be alert to vulnerable Australians, including people who live with dementia.  Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said elder abuse is a serious issue.